Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/No2ULvUr33k   Trividia Health, Inc. has a US nationwide recall on its TRUE METRIX® AIR Blood Glucose Meter.  One of the meters included in the True METRIX Blood Glucose Meter kit has an incorrect unit of measure as a factory default.  The unit measures glucose as mmol/L rather than the standard mg/dl.  If incorrectly read, a consumer will assume  a falsely low glucose level.  This could lead to incorrect glucose dosing.  If you have this device, check the serial number on the back of the unit.  The affected serial number is TA1548753.  If you have this meter, stop using it and call the company at 1-800-518-5726 to verify the serial number and to arrange a replacement.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/trividia-health-inc-issues-nationwide-voluntary-recall-isolated-true-metrix-air-blood-glucose-meter#recall-announcement   #recall #glucosemeter #truemetrix #diabetes #insulin  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/eA0Panb67Hc   The World Health Organization warns that a positive CoVid antibody test is not a “valid immunity passport” releasing you from distancing and use of PPE. Current antibody testing is not yet completely accurate, and many tests cannot quantitate antibody levels or types.   First, antibody-positive patients may have only low levels of viral neutralizing antibodies.  Then too, viral immunity requires activated T-lymphocyte killer cells to destroy virus and virus-infected cells.  Currently there are no tests that show if you have CoVid immune T lymphocytes.   So if you are tested and find that you do have antibodies, don’t get a false sense of security.  It could be deadly!   https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/immunity-passports-in-the-context-of-covid-19   #covid19 #coronavirus #who #immunity #antibodies #cellmediatedimmunity #who    

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/w-QvMHxVS-g   Men clear CoVid one-third more slowly than women.  An Indian study of 68 infected subjects now appears on the pre-print website medrixiv.org.   Serial viral testing reveals that men clear virus on average two days later than women.  In persisting infections, men shed virus up to 5 days longer.   The investigators link mens’ viral retention to the fact that testicular tissues have higher concentrations of the ACE2 receptor to which the virus binds.  The testes may be a viral reservoir and other studies do show CoVid mediated testicular damage.   Men should take particular care to avoid the virus.  Statistics show, though, that they tend to be more careless.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.16.20060566v1.full.pdf   https://altarum.org/news/men-lag-behind-women-following-social-distancing-measures-according-survey-michigan-residents   #covid19 #coronavirus #viralclearance #distancing #menshealth  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/fDCpVTw24Fs   In the context of recent misinformation about drinking or injecting Chlorox, the FDA is again warning the public that chlorine dioxide-containing products will not cure any disease including coronavirus.   The agency has again sent another cease and desist letter to the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing regarding its “Miracle Mineral Solution” which as been fraudulently marketed as a cure for autism, cancer, HIV, hepatitis, influenza, and now coronavirus.   The chemical can trigger arrhythmias, fatal blood pressure crashes, liver failure, blood loss, vomiting, and diarrhea.  Do not buy or use this products.   There is no current proven treatment for CoVid19 viral infection.  When one appears, I’ll make certain that you’re the first to know.   https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-warns-seller-marketing-dangerous-chlorine-dioxide-products-claim   #covid19 #coronavirus #chlorinedioxide #bleach  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/uqir_oHZaqg   Antibodies from recovered CoVid19 patients significantly reduce the chances of dying and improve organ function but only for those with the worst cases.  The treatment works best for those receiving high doses of immune serum within 7 days of hospital admission.   These results from a Chinese study of 325 patients treated in 3 cities.  Looking at all patients, antibody therapy had no effect on mortality.  When the sickest were analyzed separately, the data shows a 50% reduction in 28 day mortality.   Good news!  We now know that antibodies to the virus do improve disease, something still being debated.  Purifying and multiplying antibodies into a drug may give us effective treatment.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.11.20061739v2.full.pdf   #covid19 #coronavirus #antibody #immuneserum    

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/O4ARBgps1dY   Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. is recalling a single production lot of its Pink Lite Cranberry Juice Drink, 5.5 oz. can.  The lot # MH0030LPK4.  The product has undeclared sulfites.  If you are sulfite-allergic, you could suffer serious allergic reaction if you drink this product.  If you have this product, take a picture of the “best before date” code on the bottom of the can and then destroy the product. The picture should be sent to casupport@oceanspray.com. The Ocean Spray Consumer Hotline can be reached at 1-800-662-3263 for more information.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ocean-spray-cranberries-inc-recalls-single-production-lot-55-oz-cans-pink-lite-cranberry-juice-drink   #recall #oceanspray #cranberryjuicedrink #sulfites  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/rB6JVEfSOLo   The LUS Distribution Company of Canada is recalling it LUS Hair Dryer and Diffuser model number HD-LUS01.  The product does not have an immersion protection device, posing an electrocution or  shock hazard if the dryer falls into water when plugged in.  If you have this device, immediately stop using it and unplug the hair dryer.  LUS is contacting all known purchasers of the hair dryers and providing a choice of either a full refund of the purchase price or a $175 store credit.  To contact the company, call 1-800-280-1675.   https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2020/lus-recalls-hair-dryers-due-to-electrocution-or-shock-hazard-recall-alert   #recall #hairdryer #shockhazard #lus  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/q9JpJ7y6oAM   Pre-schoolers overwhelmingly choose to hear and read stories about the workings of the world around them.  This from a Vanderbilt University analysis of story choices by 48 kids 3-4 years of age.   The investigators presented children two versions of 2 stories.  One version was causally-rich with details about why and the  minimally-causal version provided just the story line.  Though the kids comprehended both versions equally, they clocked a preference for the causally-rich stories in 70% of cases.   You now have endless hours at home with your children.  Please them by providing non-fiction or fictionalized science.  Particular winners are books about the how and why of animals.   https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00666/full   #children #parenting #reading #nonfiction #fictionalizedscience  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/ZyU3FEhK_5o   Alpha lipoic acid, the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, may help fight late-stage CoVid19 disease.  A preliminary randomized Chinese drug trial showed ALA is associated with a 48% reduction in 30 day all-cause mortality.   The researchers studied 17 critical CoVid patients.  Half received IV ALA daily for one week in addition to standard ICU care.  Organ failure remained lower in the treated patients indicating a beneficial trend, not statistically significant due to the small numbers.   With each therapeutic modality tried and shown to be effective, our chances of saving lives increases.  The jury’s not in yet, but the more possible treatments that appear, the better the odds.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.15.20066266v1.full.pdf   #covid19 #coronavirus #ala #alphalipoicacid #cytokinestorm  

How CoVid19 Kills You Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/lupZ4t-mayo   Since the novel coronavirus first emerged in mid-December, thousands of studies are beginning to define the insidiously deadly nature of this virus.  An excellent review article in the magazine Science provides an alarming blueprint.   The virus enters your body through mucus-producing nasal cells, lung cells, and gut cells.  It proliferates wildly and initiates fatal damage in about 5% of those infected.     In almost all CoVid patients, viral inflammation occurs in the lung’s tiny air sacs.  This blocks oxygen transfer and thickens tissues preventing breathing.   The virus creates heart damage in almost 20%.  It triggers body-wide blood clotting that, in turn, sends clots to the lung to further block oxygen flow.     Twenty-seven percent of us develop kidney failure but nearly 60% have signs of kidney damage.  CoVid19 can trigger brain ands nerve damage including encephalitis, strokes, the paralyzing Guillain-Barre syndrome, and frequent loss of

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/KMQTJr01C5Y   The new coronavirus can trigger an atypical pneumonia that creeps up on you before it kills you.   ICU docs in Germany, Baltimore, Seattle, and New York City observe that many patients, eventually diagnosed with CoVid19, barely notice respiratory symptoms as their lungs slowly deliver less and less oxygen to their vital organs.   Even patients coming in for fractures, trauma, and falls have surprisingly low oxygen levels without complaining about shortness of breath.  Their chest x-rays show advanced pneumonia but they breathe easily without chest tightness.     The reasons: CoVid halts the natural surfactant production that keeps the lung’s tiny sponge-like air chambers open.  Then too, the virus seems to drive lung micro-clotting that halts oxygen transfer into the bloodstream.   Many of such patients get better without high pressure mechanical ventilation using high flow oxygen and prone positioning.  Unnecessary incubation and ventilation can damage the voicebox

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/IIuwg-vCQ7M   How do kids present with CoVid.?  Chinese researchers have just pre-published one of the largest case series to date covering 2143 young patients.   The median age of infected kids was 7 years, and 57% were boys.  Four percent had no symptoms, 51% had mild symptoms, and 39% had moderate symptoms.  Severe or critical cases occurred in 6%, one-third of the incidence in adults.  Only 0.6% of children developed life-threatening respiratory and multi-system failure with the largest proportion under age 5.  There was only one death.   This data confirms early reports that CoVid disease is milder in children.  Even so, some children do end up in ICUs on vents fighting for their lives.   https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/early/2020/03/16/peds.2020-0702.full.pdf   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.13.20064352v1.full.pdf   #covid19 #coronavirus #children #parenting  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/dTP7zejb2ok   British engineers assess which available materials create masks that filter out coronaviruses while permitting breathing.   The best single layer micro-particle filter is HEPA vacuum cleaner cloth and paper bag material.  Next best in terms of filtration are thickly felted wool, quilting cotton, cotton flannel, and nonwoven fusible interfacing material such as HTC.    Multilayers work best.   Two socks or a doubled neck gaiter with a layer of HEPA vacuum cleaner bag within would be very efficient.  Studies show that a mask of quilting cotton, cotton batting, and two layers of HTC will protect better than an N95 mask if tight fitting on your face.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.14.20065375v1.full.pdf   #covid19 #coronavirus #mask #hepafilter  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/maIzGMfnYxM   New studies reveal that the new coronavirus can remain aloft and infective within aerosol clouds for 16 hours or more.  Researchers at Tulane’s School of Medicine collaborated with colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Texas, and the NIH.   CoVid19 was more efficiently aerosolized than either the older SARS or MERS coronaviruses.  The most dramatic and frightening studies looked at the viral stability in air for 10 -30 minutes and at 2, 4, and 16 hours.     Infectious CoVid19 with intact structures by electron microscopy was detected in aerosols up to 16 hours or more. This data says you’d better have a well-fitting, protective mask when you’re out in public.   https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.13.20063784v1.full.pdf   #covid19 #coronavirus #aerosol   

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/JU9KiUK3hZU   Homestead Creamery Inc of Wirtz, VA is recalling its unsalted butter.  The product is likely contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  This may cause a serious gastroenteritis and sometime a fatal infection in the very young, older persons, or those with immune compromise.  If you have the product, return it to the point of purchase.  For more information, call the company at 1-540-721-2045.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/homestead-creamery-recall-unsalted-butter-because-possible-health-risk   #recall #homesteadcreamery #butter

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/ocBFaBL4nyA   The Evershing International Trading Company is recalling its Coconut Tree Brand Frozen Shredded Coconut.  There may be contamination with salmonella.  This creates a severe gastroenteritis with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.  It drives sepsis with cardiac and arterial infections.  The product was distributed in MA, WA, CA, and OK with secondary distribution to LA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, OR, FL, and TX.  If you have the product, return it to the point of purchase for a refund.  You may contact the company for more information by calling 1-408-975-9660.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/evershing-international-trading-company-recalls-frozen-shredded-coconut-because-possible-health-risk   #recall #coconut #evershing #salmonella  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/Bl-kpiaQqiU   Condies Foods Inc. Of Kearns, UT is recalling its Condies Foods Fresh Fruit cup.  The product may contain undeclared milk and egg allergens and was mislabeled.  The product contained is a veggie cup with broccoli, celery, carrot, and ranch dip.  Those allergic to these agents may develop serious or life-threatening reactions.  The product was distributed in AZ, CO, ID, NV, NE, UT, and WY.  Return the product to the point of purchase.  If you need more information, call Condies Foods at 1-801-969-1448.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/condies-foods-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-milk-and-egg-allergen-veggie-cup-item-40781   #recall #fuitcup #condies #milk #egg

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/5anM0FzsrXw   Hong Lee Trading Inc. is recalling its Chao Cafe Vietnamese Instant Coffee Mixed 3 in 1.  There are undeclared milk allergens in the product.  The product was sold in NY, NJ, and CT in plastic packages.  Return the product to the point of purchase for a full refund.  Questions to the company at 1-718-386-2100.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/hong-lee-trading-inc-issues-allergen-alert-undeclared-milk-allergens-chao-cafe-vietnamese-instant   #recall #instantcoffee #chaocafe #milk    

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/pZ71EwssDtI   Wells Collection of Brooklyn NY is recalled its Rely Brand Dried Longya Lily. The product contains undeclared sulfites.  Those who are sulfite allergic could experience life-threatening allergic reactions.  This product was sold in NY and TX.  If you have the product, return it to the store for a refund.  Contact the company at 1-718-381-2388.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/wells-collection-inc-issues-alert-undeclared-sulfites-rely-brand-dried-longya-lily   #recall #longyalily #sulfite  

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/4XDxgra6tdE   The Fieldbrook Foods Corporation of Dunkirk NY is voluntarily recalling its Top Brand and Purple Cow Brand Orange Cream Bars.  The products are likely contaminated with Listeria Monocytogenes.  Listeria causes a particularly nasty gastroenteritis and systemic infection with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and headache.  Pregnant women may miscarry or suffer stillbirths.  The Tops bars were sold in Tops retail stores in NY, PA, MA, and VT.  The Purple Cow Bars were fold in Meijer stores in MI, OH, ID, IL, KY, and WI.  If you have these products, return them to the store for a full refund.  More information from Fieldbrook at 1-800-333-0805 x2270.   https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/fieldbrook-foods-corporation-announces-voluntary-recall-orange-cream-bars-possible-health-risk   #recall #orangecreambar #tops #purplecow #listeria